Profile: Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn party

Loathed and feared by many as neo-Nazis, Greece’s Golden Dawn party has nevertheless gained substantial support during the economic crisis.

As recently as the October 2009 election, held just before the country’s credit rating was downgraded, it was winning less than 1% of the vote and had no representation in parliament.

Then, after two international bailouts and a government austerity drive, it won 7% in 2012’s twin elections, ending up in fifth place with 18 seats in parliament.

It took advantage of growing public anger fuelled by corruption and mismanagement by the established political parties; drastic cuts to jobs, wages and pensions enforced by international lenders; and a steady flow of immigrants seeking access to the EU.

Outside parliament, its members sought to drum up support through programmes such as food hand-outs to the poor, which pointedly excluded immigrants.

Its leaders declared ordinary Greeks under attack. MP Ilias Panagiotaros told the BBC: “Greek people have to protect themselves.

Nikolaos Michaloliakos is seen here at a news conference in Athens last year

“Greek society is ready… [for] a new type of civil war. On one side will be nationalists like us, and Greeks who want our country to be as it used to be. On the other will be illegal immigrants and anarchists.”

Golden Dawn politician Ilias Kasidiaris assaulted opponents during a TV debate last year

Last year, most of the 154 recorded racist attacks in Greece were attributed to Golden Dawn members, as were most of the 104 registered so far this year. The killing of two immigrants was also linked to the party.

The party was also blamed for an attack on Communist Party members last month, in which nine people are said to have been injured.

However, it appears to have taken the killing of Fyssas, a hip hop performer who rapped against racism, to persuade the Greek authorities to take action against the party.

Political vacuum?

The government believes the killing has revealed a direct chain of command to the party leadership, providing the basis for Golden Dawn to be classified as a criminal group.

Other charges against some of the 22 people arrested include murder, assault and money-laundering. After raiding the home of Mr Michaloliakos, police said they had found three pistols, ammunition and thousands of euros in cash.

The BBC’s Mark Lowen in Athens says the government’s actions against Golden Dawn are “unprecedented”

Whether or not Golden Dawn now collapses under the weight of the criminal inquiry, the fact remains that nearly half a million Greeks gave it their vote last year.

In his analysis of the party’s position, Malkoutzis argues that mainstream parties such as New Democracy, the conservative party which dominates Greece’s coalition, are to blame for having allowed the far-right to flourish. He also attacks “compliant” Greek media.

New Democracy is not averse to using anti-immigrant rhetoric itself, the journalist points out, with calls to “reclaim” Greece’s cities for Greeks.